VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County authorities say they have raided several businesses in the county that were selling and distributing synthetic drugs.
Authorities say the organization, which was operating out of New Smyrna Beach was importing drugs like K2 and bath salts from China and Canada and then distributing them around the U.S. to different buyers.
Several businesses were connected to the illegal operation, including LAD Enterprises in New Smyrna Beach, deputies said. Others included a Texaco station in Ormond Beach and a bath salt distribution center operating out of two units in an industrial park in Edgewater, according to deputies.
The operation is believed to have generated profits of several hundred thousand dollars in the past few months. Investigators say they seized 6,700 grams of synthetic drugs during the investigation -- including a substance called Star Dust, another 50 pounds of drugs and approximately $80,000 in cash from the organization.
Fourteen people have been arrested on Thursday, including Lorraine Kennelly, co-owner of LAD Enterprises and believed to be the organization's ringleader. Several of her employees also were arrested on Thursday, along with her husband and sister-in-law.
"Let's hope that the people out there seeing this will realize we're coming after you," Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson said. "If you want to continue to sell these elicit drugs, we are going to come after you."
The raid was the result of a seven-month operation, called "Operation Tinker Bell." Attorney General Pam Bondi joined Johnson, along with other law enforcement officials to announce the results at a news conference.
Bondi called the busts one of the largest of its kind in the state.
"Shame on the businesses who are selling this junk to our kids," said Bondi.
The arrestees and their charges are as follows:
- Libo C. Anderson, 44, Oviedo. Conspiracy to commit racketeering, $10,000 bond.
- Holden A. Bownds, 22, Conspiracy to commit racketeering, $10,000 bond.
- Roger Allen Brummitt, 30, Cape Coral. Conspiracy to commit racketeering, $10,000 bond.
- Jennifer Lynn Hutchens, 29, New Smyrna Beach. Racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to deliver pentedrone, two counts of sale of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia, $26,000 bond.
- Rangarao Juvvadi, 39, Drive, Port Orange. Sale of a Schedule I substance, $25,000 bond.
- Christine Kennelly, 43, Edgewater. Conspiracy to commit racketeering, solicitation to deliver pentedrone, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime, $12,000 bond.
- Loraine Fox Kennelly, 55, New Smyrna Beach. Racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, possession of a structure used for the manufacture or sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, sale of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime, $26,500 bond.
- Michael James Kennelly, 49, New Smyrna Beach. Racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, possession of a structure used for the manufacture or sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, sale of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia, possession of a conveyance used for the sale of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime, $27,500 bond.
- Sean Nicholas Main, 32, New Smyrna Beach. Racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, conspiracy to deliver pentedrone, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime, $22,000 bond.
- Andrew James Mundell, 23, New Smyrna Beach. Racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, possession of methylenedioxymethcahtinone, delivery of methylenedioxymethcahtinone, conspiracy to purchase pentedrone, conspiracy to deliver pentedrone, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime, $25,000 bond.
- Daniel J. Orr, 43, Ormond Beach. Racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, possession of a structure used for the manufacture or sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, sale of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver drug paraphernalia, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime, $26,500 bond.
- Saman Kantha Elgodage Ranawaka, 48, Daytona Beach. Two counts of sale of a Schedule I substance, $50,000 bond.
- Christopher Richard Russell, 40. Conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, solicitation to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a two-way communications device to facilitate the commission of a crime, $4,000 bond.